I've seen a lot of people say that a joint degree (M.A. or MBA) isn't worth it for most people because they could get the same jobs without spending extra time and money in school. But what about schools who have programs where these additional degrees can be completed in 3 years?

There are a number of schools that have these options. Does anyone know of advantages / Disadvantages if it will take the same time and cost as much as the JD by itself would?

trkmaniak00 wrote:I've seen a lot of people say that a joint degree (M.A. or MBA) isn't worth it for most people because they could get the same jobs without spending extra time and money in school. But what about schools who have programs where these additional degrees can be completed in 3 years?

There are a number of schools that have these options. Does anyone know of advantages / Disadvantages if it will take the same time and cost as much as the JD by itself would?

Thanks

I think 3-year JD/MBAs cost more than just getting at JD. It's significantly more expensive at Northwestern.

trkmaniak00 wrote:I've seen a lot of people say that a joint degree (M.A. or MBA) isn't worth it for most people because they could get the same jobs without spending extra time and money in school. But what about schools who have programs where these additional degrees can be completed in 3 years?

There are a number of schools that have these options. Does anyone know of advantages / Disadvantages if it will take the same time and cost as much as the JD by itself would?

Thanks

I think 3-year JD/MBAs cost more than just getting at JD. It's significantly more expensive at Northwestern.

Yeah I can't think of any programs that wouldn't charge more for the combo than the JD itself, that would also be schools worth getting either degree at. TBH I haven't looked into it recently, though.

Well I was looking at t14 schools so places like Cornell, Stanford, and northwestern. But even more generally than the MBA, if it's the first year of law school that matters most why not pick up a masters in something you like after slogging through 1L? (History philosophy etc.).

I guess I'm just surprised that more people don't pursue duel degrees and I was wondering if there was a particular reason?

Edit: if everyone agrees (as tls appears to) that three years is unnecessary for law school, wouldn't it make sense to at least make that time somewhat useful by adding another degree?

trkmaniak00 wrote:Well I was looking at t14 schools so places like Cornell, Stanford, and northwestern. But even more generally than the MBA, if it's the first year of law school that matters most why not pick up a masters in something you like after slogging through 1L? (History philosophy etc.).

I guess I'm just surprised that more people don't pursue duel degrees and I was wondering if there was a particular reason?

Edit: if everyone agrees (as tls appears to) that three years is unnecessary for law school, wouldn't it make sense to at least make that time somewhat useful by adding another degree?

The "unnecessary" time might not be totally devoid of value. You ought to consider the value of an additional degree relative to the value of the last year of legal education (or however much time of law school is really unnecessary).

It also might be more difficult than you've made it sound here to actually complete the JD + a master's degree in only three years. I think there's only a handful of schools that actually offer such programs, and those programs are usually limited to only one or a few master's degrees.

Even assuming that such programs exist and would allow you to add another degree for free, I think completing a masters in something like history or philosophy instead of doing law-related things, or even nothing, may send the wrong message about your interest in law (at least for a lot of employers).